Temperature Maintenance Covering or Apparel for Children

ABSTRACT

A baby temperature maintenance device is designed to regulate the temperature of a baby while providing a caretaker access to a lower portion of the baby without disturbing the baby. The baby temperature maintenance device includes a first panel of fabric, a second panel of fabric, a lower securing mechanism, and a plurality of upper securing mechanisms. The lower portions of the panels are fastened together with a lower securing mechanism that can be zipped open or closed. The upper portions of the panels are fastened together with upper securing mechanisms that fasten over each of the baby&#39;s shoulders. In some embodiments, a first wing and a second wing are included as a swaddle to fold over different sides and across the center of the first panel. The first wing and the second wing have reciprocal mating portions that fasten to each other to restrict movement of the baby&#39;s arms.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/146,942 filed Apr. 13, 2015, which is incorporated by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to temperature maintenance coverings orapparel, and specifically to a baby swaddle or sleeping bag providingtemperature maintenance of the baby.

Parents often worry about their babies being kept warm or being at theright temperature. Since babies cannot indicate whether they are too hotor too cold, the parent or caretaker is left to guess and makeassumptions about the baby's temperature. Conventional methods tomaintain a baby's body temperature include apparel or a wrap that can beworn by the baby, such as a baby swaddle or sleeping bag. However,conventional wraps require disturbance of the baby when placing the babyin the wrap or removing the wrap, possibly awaking the baby while thebaby is sleeping. For example, a design that only allows the baby to beput into the swaddle or sleeping bag by putting it over the baby's heador by inserting the baby's arms into the arm openings can be disturbingto the baby and challenging for the parents. In addition, theseconventional designs often provide limited or inconvenient access to thediaper for changing the baby while the baby is wearing the swaddle orsleeping bag. For example, much of the baby's body may have to beexposed to the cold air during the diaper change, or the baby's body mayhave to be inconveniently maneuvered and lifted out of the swaddle orsleeping bag to access the diaper. Additionally, some conventionaldesigns include a zipper near the baby's face or neck, which can beuncomfortable for the baby.

SUMMARY

A baby temperature maintenance device is designed to maintain andregulate the temperature of a baby while providing easy access to aparent or caretaker of the baby to change the baby's diaper or adjustthe baby without disturbing the baby. The baby temperature maintenancedevice, in one embodiment, includes a first panel of fabric, a secondpanel of fabric, a lower securing mechanism, and a plurality of uppersecuring mechanisms. For example, the device can be designed as asleeping bag for a baby. In some embodiments, the device includes atleast one wing or possibly multiple wings for wrapping a baby. Forexample, the device can include a first wing and a second wing, in whichcase the device can be designed as a swaddle for a baby.

An outer edge of the first panel and an outer edge of the second panelare fastened along various portions of the outer edges. In oneembodiment, the outer edges of the lower portions of the first panel andthe second panel are fastened together with a zipper that is configuredto open or close in one or more directions, providing access to thelower portion of the baby and the baby's feet. The zipper can extendfrom beneath a first arm hole to beneath a second arm hole of the babytemperature maintenance device.

The upper portion of the first panel and the second panel includes twoupper securing mechanisms, wherein each upper securing mechanism isdesigned to secure the baby temperature device over one of the baby'sshoulders. Each upper securing mechanism includes a first mating portionand a second mating portion, such that the first mating portion and thesecond mating portion are configured to fasten over one of the baby'sshoulders.

In embodiments including wings, the first wing and the second wing arepanels of fabric that are secured to the first panel. The first wing isconfigured to fold across a first side and a center of the second panel,and the second wing is configured to fold across a second side and thecenter of the second panel. The first wing includes a first matingportion that is capable of being fastened to a second mating portion onthe second wing, securing the wings to each other over the baby's armsto restrict movement of the baby's arms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a closed position of a temperature maintenanceswaddle with wings, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 1B illustrates a partially open wing position of a temperaturemaintenance swaddle with wings, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 1C illustrates a fully open position of a temperature maintenanceswaddle with wings, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 1D illustrates a back view of a closed position of a temperaturemaintenance swaddle with wings, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 1E illustrates an alternate embodiment of a partially open wingposition of a temperature maintenance swaddle with wings, in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 1F illustrates an additional alternate embodiment of a partiallyopen wing position of a temperature maintenance swaddle with wings, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 1G illustrates an additional alternate embodiment of a partiallyopen wing position of a temperature maintenance swaddle with wings, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 1H illustrates the configuration of the swaddle as described inFIGS. 1A-E in various positions, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2A illustrates a closed position of a temperature maintenanceswaddle/sleeping bag without wings, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2B illustrates a partially open position of a temperaturemaintenance swaddle/sleeping bag without wings, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 2C illustrates a fully open position of a temperature maintenanceswaddle/sleeping bag without wings, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2D illustrates varying sizes of swaddles without wings and anexample of a swaddle with wings, in accordance with an embodiment.

The figures depict various embodiments of the present invention forpurposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readilyrecognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments ofthe structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed withoutdeparting from the principles of the invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

A temperature maintenance material acts as a covering or is used inapparel for children, herein referred to as a swaddle with wings (e.g.,a swaddle) and a swaddle without wings (e.g., a sleeping bag). In oneembodiment, the temperature maintenance material is composed ofnanoparticles that release heat such that a child or infant wearing theclothing or covered with a blanket in the material is kept warm. Someembodiments do not include the temperature maintenance material, butinstead use a soft, comfortable material, such as cotton or fleece. Inone embodiment, the apparel is an infant or toddler swaddle or sleepingbag. The swaddle and sleeping bag are designed such that, when unzipped,the entire swaddle and sleeping bag can lay flat to allow a baby orchild to be placed on the swaddle and sleeping bag such that the swaddleand sleeping bag can be wrapped and zipped around the baby. Oneembodiment includes a dual-slider zipper design along the outer edge atthe lower portion of the swaddle and sleeping bag holding the baby orchild's feet and allows the swaddle and sleeping bag to be unzipped fordiaper changes with minimal disturbance to and exposure of the baby orchild. In the swaddle design, wings are configured to wrap the baby'sarms for swaddling the baby. Other embodiments include different typesof apparel or coverings for children, such as a stroller blanket, ascarf, a jacket, pajamas, a shirt or pants, a dress, a jumpsuit, amongother options.

Swaddle with Wings

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate a closed position of a temperaturemaintenance swaddle with wings, a partially open wing position of atemperature maintenance swaddle with wings, and a fully open position ofa temperature maintenance swaddle with wings, respectively. Herein, aswaddle with wings may also be referred to as a swaddle. The swaddle isdesigned to maintain and regulate the temperature of a baby whileproviding easy access to a parent or caretaker of the baby to change thebaby's diaper without disturbing the baby. A swaddle with wings may beused in particular for newborn babies and younger babies where it isdesirable to restrict the arm movement of the baby.

The shape of the swaddle is designed to provide comfort for the baby. Inthe embodiments of FIGS. 1A-C, the swaddle is shaped such that the lowerportion of the swaddle that encloses the baby's feet is wider relativeto the upper portion of the swaddle that wraps around the baby'sshoulders. The bottom of the swaddle has rounded corners, such that theshape of the swaddle is substantially similar to a tear-drop. Thisconfiguration provides the baby with room for movement of their legs andfeet while the movement of their arms is restricted. The shape of theswaddle may vary in other embodiments.

The dimensions of the swaddle can be designed to accommodate severaldifferent sizes and ages of babies. In some embodiments, the length ofthe swaddle may be between 18-28 inches, while the width of the swaddlemay be 6-12 inches (measured without the wings), each measured betweenthe outermost edges when the swaddle is laid flat. In other embodiments,the length may be greater than 28 inches for larger and/or older babiesor children or less than 18 inches for smaller babies or prematurebabies. Similarly, the width may vary to include widths greater than 12inches or less than 6 inches. In some embodiments, the swaddle may beused for a range of sizes (e.g., 20-25 inches in length or 7-9 inches inwidth) and may include features that can be adjusted to accommodate fora specific size of a baby within the range of sizes.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-C, the swaddle 100 includes a front panel105, a back panel 110, a right wing 115, and a left wing 120. The frontpanel 105 is the portion of the swaddle 100 that is designed to restagainst a front side of a baby, and the back panel 110 is the portion ofthe swaddle 100 that is designed to rest against a back side of a baby.The right wing 115 and the left wing 120 are designed to be wrappedaround the baby when the baby is placed between the front panel 105 andback panel 110 of the swaddle 100.

The front panel 105 and the back panel 110 are made of pieces of fabricthat are similarly shaped and are configured to reciprocally securealong outer edges 122 of the front panel 105 and outer edges 124 of theback panel 110. As previously described, the front panel 105 and theback panel 110 are substantially tear-drop shaped. The upper portions ofthe front panel 105 and the back panel 110 are designed to accommodatefor the baby's head and neck to provide a comfortable fit. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1A-C, the upper portions of the front panel 105 andthe back panel 110 have a scoop-shaped neckline. In some embodiments,the upper portion of the front panel 105 may scoop lower than the upperportion of the back panel 110 for a comfortable fit around the baby'sneck. In other embodiments, the front panel 105 may have a v-shapedneckline rather than a scoop-shaped neckline.

The front panel 105 and the back panel 110 are fastened together alongdifferent portions of the outer edges 122 and 124, such that theremaining portions that aren't fastened together create a right arm hole125, a left arm hole 130, and a neck hole 135. The sizes of the holescan vary depending on the overall dimensions of the swaddle 100 and theintended size range for the swaddle 100. The portions of outer edges ofthe front panel 105 and the back panel 110 can be fastened together witha clasp, thread, zipper, buttons, snap buttons, any other suitablefastener, or some combination thereof. Each of the different portions ofthe outer edges of the front panel 105 and the back panel 110 may befastened using the same method or using different methods.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-C, the portions of outer edges of thefront panel 105 and the back panel 110 under the right arm hole 125 andthe left arm hole 130 can be sewn together with thread. The sewnportions may begin between 3-10 inches from the top of the swaddle tomaintain the openings for the right arm hole 125 and the left arm hole130. The sewn portions may end up to 15 inches from the top of theswaddle 100. The length of sewn portions may differ or be the same underthe right arm hole 125 and the left arm hole 130. In some embodiments,only one of the portions under the right arm hole 125 and under the leftarm hole 130 is sewn together rather than both portions under the holes125, 130.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-C, the upper portions of the front panel105 and the back panel 110 surrounding the neck hole 135 may be fastenedtogether with securing mechanisms, such as a hook-and-loop fastener,that has a first mating portion and a second mating portion which can beattached and detached to each other as desired. When the mating portionsare attached to each other, the upper portions of the arm holes 125, 130are formed. As shown in FIG. 1C, the front panel 105 has tabs 140A and140B that are configured to fold over the baby's shoulders and overlapwith upper portions of the back panel 110. In some embodiments, the tabs140A, 140B include a hook component, the first mating portion of thehook-and-loop fastener, while the back panel 110 includes a respectiveloop component, the second mating portion of the hook-and-loop fastener.This configuration ensures that the hook component is not exposed whenthe tabs 140A, 140B are fastened to the back panel 110 and will not beable to rub against or irritate the baby or the parent or caretaker. Thehook-and-loop fastener provides a range of adjustability to accommodatefor babies of different sizes and lengths and to loosen or tighten thefit of the swaddle 100. In alternate embodiments, the back panel 110 mayhave the tabs configured to fold over and overlap with the front panel105, or the front panel 105 and the back panel 110 may each have tabsthat meet across the shoulder. Other embodiments may use other types ofsuitable fasteners, such as one or more buckles, one or more buttons,one or more pins, one or more shoelaces or strings, one or more snapfasteners, a zipper, or any combination thereof.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-C, the lower portions of outer edges 122,124 of the front panel 105 and the back panel 110 are fastened togetherby a zipper 145. The outer edge 122 includes a first portion of thezipper 145, while the outer edge 124 includes a second portion of thezipper 145, such that the first portion and the second portionreciprocally mate to open and close the lower portion of the swaddle 100around the baby's feet. The zipper 145 may include one or more pull tabs150 to form a dual-slider zipper that can open and close from twodirections. The zipper 145 begins at the end of a sewn portion under afirst arm hole and ends at the end of a sewn portion under a second armhole, as illustrated in FIGS. 1B-C. In some embodiments in which aportion under only one arm hole is sewn rather than under both armholes, the zipper 145 may begin or end at an edge of an arm hole,forming the lower portion of the arm hole when the zipper 145 is zippedclosed. The use of a zipper 145 with a plurality of pull tabs 150 allowsfor a parent or a caretaker to open the bottom of the swaddle 100 fordiaper changes or access of the baby without opening and disturbing theupper part of the swaddle 100 where the wings 115, 120 are closed aroundthe baby. In other embodiments, the zipper 145 can be arrangeddifferently than is shown. For example, the pull tabs 150 may bedesigned to meet at the bottom middle of the swaddle at the baby's feetand can be pulled apart to access the diaper or bottom of the swaddle100. In other embodiments, the zipper 145 used to fasten the bottomedges of the front panel 105 and the back panel 110 can be one or morehook-and-loop fasteners, one or more buckles, one or more buttons, oneor more pins, one or more shoelaces or strings, one or more snapfasteners, a single slider zipper, one or more magnets, other suitablemagnet fasteners, or any combination thereof.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-C, the front panel 105 and the back panel110 are formed from a plurality of layers of different fabrics. In oneembodiment, the panels 105, 110 include an outer layer and an innerlayer, the inner layer touching the baby and the outer layer nottouching the baby. The outer layer can be any suitable body fabric suchas cotton (e.g., Lycra), silk, wool, cashmere wool, camel hair,polyester, nylon, spandex, or any other suitable durable textile fiber.In some embodiments, the inner layer can be a type of insulating fabricthat provides temperature maintenance for the baby. These insulatingfabrics may include as OUTLAST® THERMOCULES™, any other suitable phasechange materials (PCM), or any other suitable fiber that adjusts to bodytemperature and maintains the body at a set temperature. For example,the OUTLAST® THERMOCULES™ is a fabric embedded with a wax-like substancecalled a phase change material. The OUTLAST® THERMOCULES™ absorbs andreleases heat and, if the temperature of the baby is above a firstthreshold temperature, the material absorbs the heat to cool off thebaby. If the temperature of the baby is below a second thresholdtemperature, the material releases the heat it stored earlier,transferring the heat to the baby and bringing the baby back to acomfortable temperature. The inner layer can be a material that ensuresthat the baby within the swaddle 100 and touching the material of theinner layer maintains a temperature in the range of 97-100.3° F. Exampleof types of fabric that could be used as a temperature maintenancefabric are described in more detail within the following U.S. Patents:U.S. Pat. No. 6,855,422; U.S. Pat. No. 7,241,497; U.S. Pat. No.7,160,612; U.S. Pat. No. 7,666,502; U.S. Pat. No. 7,666,500; U.S. Pat.No. 6,793,856; U.S. Pat. No. 7,563,398; U.S. Pat. No. 7,135,424; U.S.Pat. No. 7,244,497; U.S. Pat. No. 7,579,078; U.S. Pat. No. 7,790,283;U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,362; U.S. Pat. No. 6,660,667; U.S. Pat. No.7,836,722; U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,048; U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,338; U.S. Pat.No. 5,955,188; U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,879; U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,597; U.S.Pat. No. 6,217,993; U.S. Pat. No. 7,135,424; U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,958;U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,466; U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,894; U.S. Pat. No.6,171,647; U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,836; U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,415 U.S. Pat.No. 6,696,145; U.S. Pat. No. 5,532,039; U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,444; U.S.Pat. No. 6,892,478, each of which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety. This configuration allows a baby in the swaddle100 to maintain a safe and comfortable temperature, which otherwise canbe difficult for a parent or caretaker to determine or monitor.

The right wing 115 and the left wing 120 are made of pieces of fabricthat are similarly shaped and are designed to overlap with each other towrap a baby in the swaddle 100. The wings 115, 120 are substantiallytriangular-shaped with rounded corners, as illustrated in the embodimentof FIGS. 1A-C, and are positioned to be substantially mirror images ofeach other. To wrap the wings 115, 120 around the baby, as shown in theclosed position in FIG. 1A, a rounded corner of a firsttriangular-shaped wing is drawn towards the center of the front side ofthe swaddle and laid against the front side of the swaddle while arounded corner of a second triangular-shaped wing is similarly drawntowards the center of the front side of the swaddle to overlap with andsecure to the second triangular-shaped wing. The triangular shape of thewings 115, 120 allows the portions closest to the baby's head to angledownwards away from the baby's face from the edges of the swaddle 100,forming a “V” shape when the wings 115, 120 are wrapped or closed aroundthe baby, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-C. Thus, this design prevents theclosed wings 115, 120 from covering the baby's face when the baby is inthe swaddle 100 even if the baby shifts position within the swaddle 100.In some embodiments, the top edge and the bottom edge of each wing 115,120 are similarly shaped. The wings 115, 120 may have a variety ofgeometries that provide similar function and comfort as the triangleshape. For example, in other embodiments, the top edge of the wing nearthe baby's head can be scooped away from the baby's neck, the wings canbe hexagonally-shaped or ovular-shaped, or other similar geometries, orsome combination thereof.

The dimensions of the wings 115, 120 are designed to provide sufficientoverlap of the right wing 115 and the left wing 120 such that the wings115, 120 can be wrapped and secured around a baby in the swaddle 100.The wings 115, 120 have a unique shape relative to conventional swaddledesigns in that the width of the wings 115, 120 across the body is notlong and are only sufficient enough to cover just the baby's armswithout wrapping all the way around the baby or wrapping near to thebaby's back. The width of each wing 115, 120, measured from anattachment point on the back panel 110 to the outermost edge that isintended to lie across the front of the baby, can vary based on theintended size range of the swaddle 100. For example, the width canmeasure 12 inches or measure within the range of 10-14 inches, or otherranges for other sizes (e.g. 5-11 inches, 13-18 inches, etc.), giventhat the wings 115, 120 are long enough to wrap around the arms of ababy wearing the swaddle 100 so that the baby's arms cannot swing ormove around. The overlapping portions of the wings 115, 120 allow thewings 115, 120 to secure to each other with suitable clasps orfasteners. The amount of overlap between the wings 115, 120 when in theclosed position, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, may be 5 inches or less, or,in other embodiments, may be less than 4 or 3 inches. In the embodimentof FIGS. 1A-C, the length of the top edge closest to the baby's head isgenerally similar to the length of the bottom edge closest to the baby'sfeet. In some embodiments, the wings 115, 120 can have uniformdimensions or different dimensions, given that the overlap of the wings115, 120 is sufficient for the intended size range. This configurationprovides an ease of use for the parent or the caretaker such that thewings 115, 120 don't have to wrap all the way around and disturb thebaby, and the shape and overlap of the wings 115, 120 allow for ease oftightening or loosening the swaddle 100 when the baby is enclosed.

FIG. 1D illustrates a back view of a closed position of a temperaturemaintenance swaddle with wings, in accordance with an embodiment. Asillustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1D, a portion of each of the wings115, 120 extends past the edges of the back panel 110 and overlap withthe back panel 110, potentially meeting or nearly meeting on the backpanel 110. Thus, a greater surface area of the wings 115, 120 overlapswith the back panel 110, and, for example, allows the overlappingportions of the wings 115, 120 to be sewn onto the back panel 110. Theoverlap of the wings 115, 120 with the back panel 110 can be 3-7 inchesin width. Other amounts of overlap are also possible (e.g., 1-8 inches,0.5-4 inches, 6-10 inches, etc.), depending on the intended size rangefor the swaddle 110. In the embodiment of FIG. 1D, the wings 115, 120are bound to the back panel 110 with thread, but other suitablefasteners may be used (e.g. zippers, clasps, mechanical fasteners, orthe like, or any combination thereof). In other embodiments, the rightwing 115 and the left wing 120 can be attached along the right and leftedges of the front panel 105 or the back panel 110, respectively,without overlapping the back panel 110. The length of the right wing 115and the left wing 120 along the edges of the back panel 110 can bedifferent or the same lengths in the range of 10-18 inches, depending onthe dimensions of the wings 115, 120 and the intended size range for theswaddle 100. Other length ranges are also possible, such as rangeswithin this range (e.g., 12-15 inches) or ranges extending beyond one orboth of the end points (e.g., 5-18 inches or 10-25 inches). In someembodiments, the wings 115, 120 may be made of the same piece of fabric,rather than two separate pieces of fabric, such that the single piece offabric can be secured across the width of the back panel 110. Inalternate embodiments, the wings 115, 120 may be made of the same pieceof fabric as the back panel 110 or the front panel 105.

FIG. 1E illustrates an alternative partially open wing position of atemperature maintenance swaddle with wings, in accordance with anembodiment. As previously described, the wings 115, 120 are designed tooverlap and secure to each other to snugly wrap the baby in the swaddle100. Each of the wings 115, 120 can have a variety of securingmechanisms that are configured to reciprocally mate when the wings 115,120 are in the closed position. For example, a male wing clasp and afemale wing clasp, hook-and-loop fasteners, one or more buckles, one ormore buttons, one or more pins, one or more shoelaces or strings, one ormore snap fasteners, a zipper, or any combination thereof, may be used.In the embodiment of FIG. 1E, the right wing 115 includes a hookcomponent 150 of a hook-and-loop fastener while the left wing 120includes a loop component 160 secured to a back side or front side ofeach wing, each positioned on sides of the wings 115, 120 such that thehook component 155 will reciprocally fasten to the loop component 160when the wings 115, 120 are in the closed position. The hook component155 and the loop component 160 can be secured to either the right wing115 or the left wing 120, such that either the right wing 115 or theleft wing 120 is placed on top when in the closed position. In someembodiments, the loop component 160 may be secured to the back of a wingsuch that the loop component 160 faces outward when in the closedposition. This configuration ensures that the hook component 155 is notexposed when the wings 115, 120 are in the closed position and will notbe able to rub against or irritate the baby or the parent or caretaker.As illustrated in FIG. 1E, the hook component 155 and the loop component160 may be hexagonally-shaped and may cover a large portion of the wings115, 120, which provides a range of adjustability and allows the wings115, 120 to be loosened or tightened around the baby as necessary. Inother embodiments, the shape and dimensions of the hook component 155and the loop component 160 may be similar or different. For example, theshape of the loop component may cover the entire width of a wing or maycover the entire wing to provide a larger range of adjustability.

FIGS. 1F and 1G illustrate additional alternate embodiments of apartially open wing position of a temperature maintenance swaddle withwings, in accordance with an embodiment. As described with regards toFIG. 1E, the wings 115, 120 are designed to overlap and secure to eachother to snugly wrap the baby in the swaddle 100. Each of the wings 115,120 include a hook component or a loop component of a hook-and-loopfastener that are configured to reciprocally fasten when the wings 115,120 are in the closed position. As illustrated in FIG. 1F, the loopcomponent 160 may be shaped such that the loop component 160 covers asignificant portion of the width of a wing to provide a large range ofadjustability. As illustrated in FIG. 1G, the loop component 160 maycover substantially the entire wing to provide a larger range ofadjustability.

FIG. 1H illustrates the configuration of the swaddle as described inFIGS. 1A-E in various positions, in accordance with an embodiment. Theswaddle 100 is shown in a fully open position, in which the front panel105 has been unzipped from the back panel 110 and can lay flat with theback panel 110. This fully open position allows for minimal disturbanceto the baby when putting the swaddle 100 on or taking the swaddle 100off. To put the swaddle 100 on the baby, the baby is laid onto the backpanel 110 such that the baby's arms align with the arm holes 125, 130,and the front panel 105 is folded over the baby and fastened to the backpanel 110 with the zipper 145 along the lower portion. The tabs 140A,140B are folded over the baby's shoulders and secured to the back panel110 with the appropriate tightness or looseness. In the embodiments ofFIGS. 1F-H, the right wing 115 includes the loop component 160 and ispulled across the front of the baby and the swaddle 100. The left wing120 includes the hook component 155 and is pulled across the front ofthe baby and the swaddle 100 to overlap with the right wing 115 suchthat the hook component 155 fastens to the loop component 160. The rightwing 115 and the left wing 120 are wrapped around the baby with theappropriate tightness or looseness.

Swaddle/Sleeping bag without Wings

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate a closed position of a temperaturemaintenance swaddle/sleeping bag without wings, a partially openposition of a temperature maintenance swaddle/sleeping bag withoutwings, and a fully open position of a temperature maintenanceswaddle/sleeping bag without wings, respectively. Herein, a swaddlewithout wings may also be referred to as a sleeping bag. The sleepingbag is designed to maintain and regulate the temperature of a baby whileproviding easy access to a parent or caretaker of the baby to change thebaby's diaper without disturbing the baby. A sleeping bag may be used inparticular for older babies where it is not necessary to restrict thearm movement of the baby.

The sleeping bag 200 differs from the swaddle described with regards toFIGS. 1A-1E because the sleeping bag 200 does not include wings. In theembodiments of FIGS. 2A-C, the sleeping bag 200 includes a front panel205 and a back panel 210. The front panel 205 is the portion of thesleeping bag 200 that is designed to rest against a front side of ababy, and the back panel 210 is the portion of the sleeping bag that isdesigned to rest against a back side of a baby. The description of thefront panel 205 and the back panel 210 of the swaddle 100 in conjunctionwith FIGS. 1A-C can be incorporated herein for the front panel 205 andthe back panel 210 of the sleeping bag 200.

As similarly described with regards to FIGS. 1A-C, the front panel 205and the back panel 210 of the sleeping bag are fastened together alongdifferent portions of the outer edges, such that the remaining portionsthat aren't fastened together create a right arm hole 215, a left armhole 220, and a neck hole 225. The sizes of the holes can vary dependingon the overall dimensions of the sleeping bag 200 and the intended sizerange for the sleeping bag 200. The portions of edges of the front panel205 and the back panel 210 can be fastened together with a clasp,thread, zipper, buttons, snap buttons, any other suitable fastener, orsome combination thereof. Each of the different portions of the edges ofthe front panel 205 and the back panel 210 may be fastened using thesame method or using different methods.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 2A-C, the portions of outer edges of thefront panel 205 and the back panel 210 under the right arm hole 215and/or the left arm hole 220 can be sewn together with thread. Theportions of the front panel 205 and the back panel 210 surrounding theneck hole 225 may be removeably fastened together with tabs 230A, 230Bthat include a hook-and-loop fastener, as described for the swaddle 100.The lower portions of outer edges of the front panel 205 and the backpanel 210 are fastened together by a zipper 235 which includes one ormore pull tabs 240 to form a dual-slider zipper 235. The zipper 235begins at the end of a sewn portion under a first arm hole and ends atthe end of a sewn portion under a second arm hole or at the edge of asecond arm hole, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-C. Similar to the swaddle100, the use of a zipper 235 with a plurality of pull tabs 240 allowsfor a parent or a caretaker to open the bottom of the sleeping bag 200for diaper changes or access of the baby without opening and disturbingthe upper part of the sleeping bag 200.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 2A-C, the front panel 205 and the back panel210 are formed from a plurality of layers of different fabrics. In oneembodiment, the panels 205, 210 include an outer layer and an innerlayer, the inner layer touching the baby and the outer layer nottouching the baby. The outer layer can be any suitable body fabric suchas cotton (e.g., Lycra), silk, wool, cashmere wool, camel hair,polyester, nylon, spandex, or any other suitable durable textile fiber.In some embodiments, the inner layer can be a type of insulating fabricthat provides temperature maintenance for the baby. These insulatingfabrics may include as OUTLAST® THERMOCULES™, any other suitable phasechange materials (PCM), or any other suitable fiber that adjusts to bodytemperature and maintains the body at a set temperature. The inner layercan be a material that ensures that the baby within the sleeping bag andtouching the material of the inner layer maintains a temperature in therange of 97-100.3° F. This configuration allows a baby in the sleepingbag to maintain a safe and comfortable temperature, which otherwise canbe difficult for a parent or caretaker to determine and monitor.

Other designs for apparel can also be used and can include the sametypes of layers of fabric as described for the swaddle or the sleepingbag. For example, a stroller blanket or scarf can include the sameplurality of layers for temperature maintenance. As one example, theinvention includes any apparel or covering for children or infants withat least one outer layer of body fabric, as described above, and atleast one inner layer of temperature maintenance fabric, as alsodescribed above.

FIG. 2D illustrates a representative example of a swaddle 100 andvarying sizes of sleeping bags 200. The dimensions of the swaddle 100and the sleeping bags 200 can be designed to accommodate for differentsize ranges and ages of babies. As described above, the swaddle 100 andthe sleeping bag 200 have a variety of features that allow a parent orcaretaker to appropriately tighten or loosen the swaddle 100 or sleepingbag 200 around the baby.

Summary

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been presented for thepurpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limitthe invention to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in therelevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations arepossible in light of the above disclosure.

Further, the language used in the specification has been principallyselected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not havebeen selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.It is therefore intended that the scope of the patent rights be limitednot by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue onan application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of theembodiments is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of thescope of the patent rights, which is set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A baby temperature maintenance device comprising: afirst panel of fabric having an outer edge and an upper portion; asecond panel of fabric having an outer edge an upper portion, the secondpanel attached at one side to the first panel; a lower securingmechanism having a mating portion attached along the outer edge of thefirst panel and a mating portion attached along the outer edge of thesecond panel, the mating portions capable of fastening the first andsecond panels together along the outer edges for enclosing a babybetween the first and second panels, the lower securing mechanismopenable at a first location and a second location to provide access toa lower portion of a baby from two sides; a first upper securingmechanism and a second upper securing mechanism at the upper portion ofthe first panel and the upper portion of the second panel, the firstupper securing mechanism having two mating portions on a first side andthe second upper securing mechanism having two mating portions on asecond side, the mating portions on the first side capable of beingfastened over one of the baby's shoulders and the mating portions on thesecond side capable of being fastened over another of the baby'sshoulders; a first wing that is a panel of fabric that is secured to thefirst panel, the first wing configured to fold across a first side and acenter of the second panel, the first wing comprising a first matingportion of a wing securing mechanism; and a second wing that is a panelof fabric that is secured to the first panel, the second wing configuredto fold across a second side and the center of the second panel, thesecond wing comprising a second mating portion of the wing securingmechanism capable of being fastened to the first mating portion tosecure the first and second wings over the baby's arms to restrictmovement.
 2. The baby temperature maintenance device of claim 1, whereinthe first panel and the second panel are substantially tear-drop shaped,such that a lower portion of the baby temperature maintenance device iswider than the upper portion.
 3. The baby temperature maintenance deviceof claim 1, wherein the first panel and the second panel each comprise aplurality of layers of fabric, at least one of the layers of fabriccomprising nanoparticles that are configured to absorb and release heatto maintain a temperature of a baby enclosed within the baby temperaturemaintenance device.
 4. The baby temperature maintenance device of claim1, wherein the second panel attached at one side to the first panelfurther comprises a portion of the outer edges of the first panel andthe second panel underneath a hole configured for a baby's arm beingsewn together.
 5. The baby temperature maintenance device of claim 1,wherein the lower securing mechanism along the outer edges of the firstpanel and the second panel is a dual slider zipper, which is configuredto zip open and closed in one or more directions and provide a parent ora caretaker of the baby access to a lower portion of the baby for diaperchanges or adjustment of the baby without disturbing an upper portion ofthe baby or the first wing or the second wing.
 6. The baby temperaturemaintenance device of claim 1, wherein the first location is directlybeneath a first hole configured for a baby's arm and the second locationis beneath a location at which the second panel is attached at one sideto the first panel.
 7. The baby temperature maintenance device of claim6, wherein the second location at which the second panel is attached atone side to the first panel is directly underneath a hole configured fora baby's arm.
 8. The baby temperature maintenance device of claim 1,wherein the lower securing mechanism along the outer edges of the firstpanel and the second panel is a dual slider zipper, and wherein thefirst location or the second location is positioned at the edge of afirst hole or a second hole configured for a baby's arm, such that adual slider zipper forms the lower portion of the first hole or thesecond hole when the zipper is zipped closed.
 9. The baby temperaturemaintenance device of claim 1, wherein the mating portions of theplurality of upper securing mechanisms form the upper portion of a firsthole or a second hole configured for a baby's arm when the matingportions are fastened.
 10. The baby temperature maintenance device ofclaim 1, wherein the mating portions of the plurality of upper securingmechanisms are hook-and-loop fasteners.
 11. The baby temperaturemaintenance device of claim 1, wherein the first panel and the secondpanel are configured to lay flat next to each other when the lowersecuring mechanism and the plurality of upper securing mechanisms areundone or open.
 12. The baby temperature maintenance device of claim 1,wherein the mating portions of the first wing and the second wing arehook-and-loop fasteners that cover at least half of the surface area ofeach wing to provide a range of adjustability for increasing tightnessor looseness of the first wing and the second wing when fastenedtogether.
 13. The baby temperature maintenance device of claim 1,wherein portions of the first wing and portions of the second wingoverlap with the first panel, such that the first wing and the secondwing touch to form a shape of a “v” on the first panel.
 14. The babytemperature maintenance device of claim 1, wherein upper portions of thefirst wing and the second wing near a neckline are shaped such that thefirst wing and the second wing angle away from the neckline.
 15. Thebaby temperature maintenance device of claim 1, wherein a width of thefirst wing and a width of the second wing are sufficient to allow thefirst wing and the second wing to overlap around a body of a babyenclosed by the first and second panels without the first wing and thesecond wing wrapping around a back of the first panel.
 16. A babytemperature maintenance device comprising: a first panel of fabrichaving an outer edge and an upper portion; a second panel of fabrichaving an outer edge an upper portion, the second panel attached at oneside to the first panel, the first panel and the second panel eachcomprising a plurality of layers of fabric, at least one of the layersof fabric comprising nanoparticles that are configured to absorb andrelease heat to maintain a temperature of a baby enclosed within thebaby temperature maintenance device; a lower securing mechanism having amating portion attached along the outer edge of the first panel and amating portion attached along the outer edge of the second panel, themating portions capable of fastening the first and second panelstogether along the outer edges for enclosing a baby between the firstand second panels, the lower securing mechanism openable at a firstlocation and a second location to provide access to a lower portion of ababy from two sides; and a first upper securing mechanism and a secondupper securing mechanism at the upper portion of the first panel and theupper portion of the second panel, the first upper securing mechanismhaving two mating portions on a first side and the second upper securingmechanism having two mating portions on a second side, the matingportions on the first side capable of being fastened over one of thebaby's shoulders and the mating portions on the second side capable ofbeing fastened over another of the baby's shoulders.
 17. The babytemperature maintenance device of claim 16, wherein the first panel andthe second panel are configured to lay flat next to each other when thelower securing mechanism and the plurality of upper securing mechanismsare undone or open.
 18. The baby temperature maintenance device of claim16, wherein the lower securing mechanism along the outer edges of thefirst panel and the second panel is a dual slider zipper, and whereinthe first location or the second location is positioned at the edge of afirst hole or a second hole configured for a baby's arm, such that adual slider zipper forms the lower portion of the first hole or thesecond hole when the zipper is zipped closed.
 19. The baby temperaturemaintenance device of claim 16, wherein the mating portions of theplurality of upper securing mechanisms form the upper portion of a firsthole or a second hole configured for a baby's arm when the matingportions are fastened.
 20. The baby temperature maintenance device ofclaim 16, wherein the first location is directly beneath a first holeconfigured for a baby's arm and the second location is beneath alocation at which the second panel is attached at one side to the firstpanel, wherein the location at which the second panel is attached at oneside to the first panel is directly underneath a hole configured for ababy's arm, and wherein the zipper is configured to open and close thedevice along a left, right and bottom side of a baby wearing the device.